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Wed 3 Jan 2018, 09:00 GMT

Mixed news keeps oil in tight range


By A/S Global Risk Management.



Oil prices remained in a tight trading range on mixed news. The huge Forties pipeline as well as a Libyan pipeline have both restarted, but the geopolitical risk premium in Iran has increased heavily.

Along with the current unrest in Iran, the U.S. president has refused to certify the international accord on the nuclear deal. The president also continues to spur fears of an escalation of the ongoing nuclear dispute between the U.S. and North Korea.

The Forties Pipeline transports around 450,000 barrels per day of North Sea Brent oil and was closed due to a leak in mid-December. Now the force majeure has been lifted and is "fully operational", according to the operator.

Tonight the weekly oil stocks data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) is published; consensus is draw in crude oil stocks, builds in gasoline and distillates stocks. Tomorrow, the more-closely-followed report from the EIA is published.

Turning to economic data, today will see the U.S. central bank meeting minutes as well as ISM Manufacturing PMI from the U.S. published. Chinese Caixin Services PMI is released overnight. .


Zhoushan waterfront at night. Zhoushan becomes world's third-largest bunker port  

Chinese refuelling hub overtakes Antwerp-Bruges and Fujairah to take third place in 2025.

Meyer Turku's net-zero vessel concept render. Meyer Turku completes net-zero cruise ship concept with 90% emissions cut  

Finnish shipbuilder’s AVATAR project vessel design exceeds IMO targets using technologies expected by 2030.

Uni-Fuels Logo. Uni-Fuels renews ISCC certification after first biofuel delivery  

Singapore-based marine fuel supplier completes inaugural ISCC-certified biofuel delivery, supporting EU regulatory compliance.

Close-up of a vessel bow at port. Iberian Peninsula poised to overtake the Netherlands as Europe’s top LNG bunkering hub  

Spanish and Portuguese ports quadrupled ship-to-ship LNG supply in two years, data shows.

FOBAS Fuel Insight Fuel Quality report H2 2025 cover. Lloyd’s Register reports sharp rise in marine fuel quality failures in late 2025  

December recorded the highest monthly off-specification cases, driven by sulphur, catalytic fines and flash point issues.

Bio-LNG bunkering infrastructure. Bahía de Bizkaia Gas launches bio-LNG loading service after ISCC certification  

Spanish regasification terminal begins offering renewable fuel loading for trucks and vessels in January 2026.

Grande Michigan vessel. Grimaldi takes delivery of eighth ammonia-ready car carrier Grande Michigan  

The 9,000-ceu vessel features 50% lower fuel consumption and 5 MWh battery capacity.

Graphic of the ABS logo with a blue background and light effects over a globe. ABS consortium delivers ammonia fuel safety report for EMSA  

Report expands on IMO interim guidelines and highlights need for comprehensive understanding of ammonia properties.

Green Future vessel. NYK operates methanol-fuelled bulk carrier for BHP, claims 65% emissions cut  

Green Future becomes first oceangoing bulk carrier to use low-carbon methanol fuel.

Genesis Sea vessel. Ulstein Verft completes sea trials for Genesis Sea CSOV ahead of spring delivery  

The 89.6-metre vessel features hybrid battery propulsion and preparations for green methanol operation.


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